iPad Will getting the 24GB M2 iPad Pro be worth it?

[Marswarrior462]

Apple’s decision to limit certain features to M1 iPads has finally motivated me to upgrade from my 2020 12.9” iPad Pro. Only problem is, I don’t think it would be wise to pick up an M1 iPad Pro right now because the M2 iPad Pro is likely to be released this fall. The M2 chip was revealed at WWDC and has support for up to 24GB of RAM. I’m assuming this means that the M2 iPad Pro will be able to be configured to 2TB SSD and 24GB of RAM. Will springing for 24GB be worth it? Why or why not? I know it will be the most expensive iPad ever released, costing more than $3000 for the iPad alone (in Canada at least), so I’m not excited about having to spend more. And then I’ll have to buy a new Magic Keyboard if the iPad Pro supports wireless charging (as Mark Gurman is expecting). So it’ll be a $4000 iPad package. And I’m getting cellular as well of course. Of course I could buy a MacBook Pro for a similar price but I’m holding off until it gets: cellular, the removal of the 32MB TLB cache limit, OLED, possibly Face ID (although it’s currently not possible right now), and upgraded ports. I plan on keeping my next iPad for longer than this one. Should I get the maxed out version?

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

how do u know it'll cost more than 3 grands ?

and imho even with the recent news on ipadOS i do not think that 24gb for an ipad is wise.the system remains a fork of ios with a good but restricted ram management and very little background processes.and not many TRUE pro apps that would make use of the 24gb of ram either so...

 

[MarkC426]

There is no guarantee that
1.M2 iPad Pro will be released this year
2.It will have 24gb ram

What with supply/manufacturing issues and Apple doing strange releases, you may wait 12 months (you may not).

 

[Shirasaki]

iPadOS still need at least 2-3 years before they have enough features that it can work as a more viable laptop replacement for people who only stream or have never grown with traditional computer (including Mac). 24GB of RAM on iPad Pro would need very clear justification otherwise it's a waste of money.

I would use the same money to get a 24GB or even M2 32GB MacBook Pro considering Mac can do everything but gaming while iPad can game and do things. but in a more convoluted way for the most part.

 

[Falhófnir]

They might stick to just 8/16GB options, it would be difficult to incorporate 3 RAM tiers into how the iPad pricing tree is currently set up. Alternatively they could start offering RAM options for higher end models (choice of 16 or 24GB for 1TB and 2TB iPads?).

Assuming they do I think you'll have to have a very intense use case for an iPad to justify it, I mean with more advanced multitasking I'm sure you could make use of it, but few seem likely to actually be using the iPad in that way for the time being.

 

[Marswarrior462]

I was about to give up hope for iPadOS, that‘s why I was so angry that I wanted to sue Apple, but after iPadOS 16, even though it didn’t fix everything about the iPad, it makes a whole lot more sense to upgrade my iPad. iPadOS 16 has proved Apple is at least listening to some complaints and is a major step in the right direction. If I get the most future proof M2 iPad Pro, then I would not have to worry about being left out. But then again, I might have to have some serious work and multitasking to justify such a high end purchase. If the M2 iPad Pro does get up to 24GB of RAM, it will be the most expensive iPad ever, even more so than the M1 iPad Pro, which is already brutally expensive

 

[VaruLV]

I dont know if its worth it to spend this crazy amount of money on miniLED iPad if 2024 is said to bring double stacked OLED iPad Pro models.
If you really want M1 supported features and dont need latest and greatest then, perhaps, you could do with M1 iPad Pro on sale, use it for 2-3 years and then upgrade to whichever Mx iPad will be available with OLED screen and probably upgraded Magic Keyboard with function row, perhaps with built in USB4/TB4 port and not just pass-through charging one like now and maybe even wider angle reclination.

I currently own 12.9 M1 8GB base version with 5G, while its tempting to calculate possible upgrade routes this autumn to either M2 16GB/24GB model with MKB or save plenty of cash and go for M1 1TB model with MKB, I know that its all just what I want and not what I currently need, given that Im yet to try out new iPadOS 16 features as well as test its swap availability/reliability on an iPad, which is a mixture thats as of now is unknown combination when it comes to power and usability for the end user experience.

So, I will wait and see, I might just upgrade to MKB and be happy with it until OLED iPP 12.9(or maybe even larger?!) hits and then decide. Getting latest and greatest is tempting, however, IMHO, I dont think that its worth going crazy about possible M2 iPad Pro release which we dont know when will it come and how much will it cost etc.

IF I buy myself some nice gadgets this autumn like Surface 5 laptop or Surface Pro 9 tablet from MS or M1 Air/M2Air/14" M1 Pro laptop, then my 12.9 M1 will remain as a tablet without any pricey upgrades because those will be unnecessary for a tablet when one has perfectly usable laptop.

I dont know if I made any sense or if it helped at all, tho, just my ruminations in this regard that Ive gone through these last 24H

 

[MarkC426]

I currently own 12.9 M1 8GB base version with 5G

There is nothing 'base' about any spec iPadPro......
But I know what you mean, storage....

 

[rui no onna]

Assuming swap works similar to desktop OSes, reckon that’s actually one less reason to get 24GB RAM on the iPad.

Honestly, even my laptops and desktops are working fine with 16GB RAM. Even 8GB isn’t bad.

 

[jav6454]

From what I gather iPad Pros are configured by default with a set amount of RAM and are not upgradeable during the purchase process.

 

[rui no onna]

From what I gather iPad Pros are configured by default with a set amount of RAM and are not upgradeable during the purchase process.

That's something Apple could change if they wanted to.

Granted, with iPads being glued together that's probably easier said than done.

 

[jav6454]

That's something Apple could change if they wanted to.

Granted, with iPads being glued together that's probably easier said than done.

Well, I meant purchase process online. The one where you can configure it. You get what is offered and only get options for storage space increases.

 

[rui no onna]

Well, I meant purchase process online. The one where you can configure it. You get what is offered and only get options for storage space increases.

I know that's currently the case but there's nothing stopping Apple from switching to a more Mac-like configuration process. Might be more hassle than it's worth for them to implement though.

 

[jav6454]

I know that's currently the case but there's nothing stopping Apple from switching to a more Mac-like configuration process. Might be more hassle than it's worth for them to implement though.

Well, perhaps with the new iPad models coming in September Apple will give iPP users the option for higher memory.

 

[Marswarrior462]

Well, I meant purchase process online. The one where you can configure it. You get what is offered and only get options for storage space increases.

Currently the M1 iPads have 8GB if you get the 128GB, 256GB or 512GB storage options and 16GB RAM if you get the 1TB or 2TB models. I’m predicting that the M2 iPad Pros will have 24GB RAM on the 2TB models. I’m running out of storage on my 512GB 2020 model anyway, so I might as well spring for the 2TB

 

[rui no onna]

Well, perhaps with the new iPad models coming in September Apple will give iPP users the option for higher memory.

That's exactly what's being discussed on this thread. Possibility of 24GB on M2 iPad Pro.

 

[jav6454]

That's exactly what's being discussed on this thread. Possibility of 24GB on M2 iPad Pro.

I understand that, just pointing out that right now it's not possible. However, adding that option would be truly great given Stage manager.

 

[JPack]

iPad Pro has even less thermal headroom than MacBook Air.

I can't imagine too many uses cases where you would fully utilize that 24GB but not hit M2 throttling. Virtual Memory Swap should mitigate instances where you really need >16GB.

 

[jav6454]

Currently the M1 iPads have 8GB if you get the 128GB, 256GB or 512GB storage options and 16GB RAM if you get the 1TB or 2TB models. I’m predicting that the M2 iPad Pros will have 24GB RAM on the 2TB models. I’m running out of storage on my 512GB 2020 model anyway, so I might as well spring for the 2TB

I understand that, but for the average person they might not know that.

 

[Boil]

They might stick to just 8/16GB options, it would be difficult to incorporate 3 RAM tiers into how the iPad pricing tree is currently set up. Alternatively they could start offering RAM options for higher end models (choice of 16 or 24GB for 1TB and 2TB iPads?).

Assuming they do I think you'll have to have a very intense use case for an iPad to justify it, I mean with more advanced multitasking I'm sure you could make use of it, but few seem likely to actually be using the iPad in that way for the time being.

Dunno what it would do to the pricing of the assorted storage tiers, but Apple could offer the three levels of RAM, depending on which level of storage one chooses...

Currently the M1 iPads have 8GB if you get the 128GB, 256GB or 512GB storage options and 16GB RAM if you get the 1TB or 2TB models. I’m predicting that the M2 iPad Pros will have 24GB RAM on the 2TB models. I’m running out of storage on my 512GB 2020 model anyway, so I might as well spring for the 2TB

I could see:

• 128GB/256GB SSD = 8GB RAM
• 512GB/1TB SSD = 16GB RAM
• 2TB SSD = 24GB RAM

This would probably make the 512GB SSD/16GB RAM models the most popular...?

 

[yabeweb]

Went M1 last year, and i think Stage Manager is not worth the hassle if you have a 2020.
You get an M2 in the fall and in 2 years they might release something M3 only, so you'll be repeating the same thing.

I think the M1 at discounted price is the way to go for now (there's also no better choice yet) and then in 3-4 years upgrade.

I am sure even people with 16 gb ram today are wondering what to do with them now, I can't imagine needing 24 gb in the near future on iOS.

 

[chrism_scotland]

They can barely supply Macs or Macbooks with anything above 16GB RAM currently, long lead times of a month+ for those.

I can't see a 24GB RAM option for iPad Pro this year, it would be completely pointless, its not like its got the overhead of running a full desktop OS

 

[Boil]

I can't see a 24GB RAM option for iPad Pro this year, it would be completely pointless, its not like its got the overhead of running a full desktop OS

If Apple actually ever moves any of their Pro apps over to iPadOS, the extra RAM would probably be appreciated...?

 

[Ponylover52]

Very interesting discussion, I personally expect Apple to keep the existing configs keeping the 24GB as a strictly Mac thing. If the did have the silicon capacity to let iPad Pros have that (wow that just seems crazy for a 5.9mm tablet) I‘d expect they make configuring an iPad more akin to a Mac where you are 128/256GB 8GB | 512GB 8GB or 16GB | 1TB/2TB with 16GB or 24GB

 

[Boil]

Very interesting discussion, I personally expect Apple to keep the existing configs keeping the 24GB as a strictly Mac thing. If the did have the silicon capacity to let iPad Pros have that (wow that just seems crazy for a 5.9mm tablet) I‘d expect they make configuring an iPad more akin to a Mac where you are 128/256GB 8GB | 512GB 8GB or 16GB | 1TB/2TB with 16GB or 24GB

The rumor regarding the 14.1" iPad Pro states the entry configuration would have 16GB RAM & 512GB SSD; this would indicate there may be configurations with more than 16GB RAM...?

BTO options for RAM & SSD would be nice, but Apple might just offer set configurations:

• 128GB/256GB SSD = 8GB RAM (11" & 12.9" models)
• 512GB SSD = 16GB RAM (all models)
• 1TB/2TB SSD = 24GB RAM (all models)

M2 SoC & 24GB RAM; seems a great set of system resources for something like Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, or Xcode on iPadOS...?!? ;^p